Worcester to allow recovering addicts in public housing

Saturday

Dec 29, 2012 at 6:00 AMDec 29, 2012 at 10:20 AM

By Bronislaus B. Kush TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The Worcester Housing Authority — through a pilot program expected to begin early next year — will ease its rules to allow some recovering substance abusers with lengthy criminal records to obtain local public housing.

WHA officials said the program, “New Beginnings,” will initially provide four men working to turn their lives around with a chance at stable housing.

“Each day, we balance the need to keep our (WHA) communities safe and secure with the need to give people a second chance,” WHA Executive Director Raymond V. Mariano said.

The program, run by the agency in partnership with Catholic Charities of Worcester County's Crozier House, will house the men in a congregate four-bedroom apartment at the WHA's Lafayette Place in the city's Green Island neighborhood.

Mr. Mariano, saying that there have been no objections to the plan from current residents of the 66-unit complex at 2 Lafayette St., said there is a long list of requirements for participation in the program.

Among them:

•Candidates must demonstrate months of sobriety and be in compliance with the recovery requirements of Crozier House.

•Successful candidates will be tested weekly for substance abuse and must agree to case management oversight by Crozier House staff.

•Those admitted must be employed or provide volunteer work for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

•Those admitted must attend a minimum of four Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings weekly.

•Successful candidates must pay the applicable rent and abide by WHA rules.

Mr. Mariano said the WHA could not implement the program without the partnership and expertise of the Crozier House.

“We just don't have the ability, expertise or resources to monitor the candidates,” he said.

He added that the program wouldn't be possible without the approval and “encouragement” of the WHA's board of directors and residents.

According to Raymond L. Delisle, a spokesman for the Diocese of Worcester, Crozier House, at 10 Hammond St., is an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center for men. It provides treatment and quarters for up to 30 people.

Mr. Mariano said he believes that those taking part in the program may be able to move into a more traditional public housing setting after one or two years of participation.

Mr. Mariano said an admissions committee made up of WHA officials will begin interviewing candidates with the hopes of starting the program next month.

The candidates will be recommended by Crozier House, he said.

The successful candidates will be continually monitored, and a formal review will be undertaken six months after the program starts.

Mr. Mariano said he is confident the program will work and is considering another agency partner to expand New Beginnings.

The WHA's overall admissions' policies are flexible, and potential resident households are considered, for the most part, on a case-by-case basis.

People found guilty of violent or sexual crimes are banned from public housing.

The policies do allow for individuals found guilty of some minor crimes, such as trespassing, to get housing.

However, Mr. Mariano said admissions become problematic for recovered or recovering alcoholics with more lengthy criminal records.

He said he became aware of the problem last summer when he heard the appeals of two men in such circumstances whose housing requests were turned down.

“I thought these guys might have warranted a pass because they were working hard to turn things around,” Mr. Mariano said. “The trick for us to getting people like this into public housing was to find a partner who could monitor their lives. We've now found that with Crozier House.”